DNA-based detection of prostate cancer in urine after prostatic massage

Objectives. Promoter hypermethylation of the glutathione-S-transferase P1 ( GSTP1) gene is a specific feature of prostate cancer. This epigenetic DNA a lteration served as the target for molecular detection of prostate cancer c ells in urine sediments after prostatic massage. Methods. Bisulfite treatment followed by methylation-specific polymerase ch ain reaction was used to detect GSTP1 promoter hypermethylation in DNA isol ated from urine sediments obtained after prostatic massage of men with and without prostate cancer. Results. GSTP1 promoter hypermethylation was demonstrated in the sediments of 1 (2%) of 45 patients diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia, 2 (29 %) of 7 patients with prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, 15 (68%) of 22 p atients with early, intracapsular cancer, and 14 (78%) of 18 patients with locally advanced or systemic prostate cancer, resulting in a specificity of 98% and an overall sensitivity of 73% for the detection of prostate cancer . Conclusions. Urinalysis for GSTP1 promoter hypermethylation constitutes a s ensitive and highly specific DNA-based marker for molecular detection of pr ostate cancer, including early stages. UROLOGY 58: 335-338, 2001. (C)\ 2001 , Elsevier Science Inc.